Travis Kelce may be known for his electric performances on the football field, but in 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs star tight end took a bold leap into the entertainment world. Hosting Saturday Night Live on March 4 of that year marked a milestone for Kelce—but behind the laughs and sketches, he was fighting a quiet battle with something far more personal: reading.
Travis Kelce opens up about SNL struggles and his surprising reading issue leaves fans divided
During a recent appearance on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, Travis Kelce opened up about his biggest hurdle while preparing for SNL. “The writers’ rooms were fun because you’re just getting pitched ideas,” he said. “The table reading, for a guy that can’t really read that well, it was kind of a f-cked situation.”
Kelce confessed that the pre-show table read was the hardest part of the experience. “I felt like I was just trying to get through the reading instead of actually acting it out and giving it a voice and giving it a character and things like that,” he added. “I was just focused on, ‘Don’t f-cking skip this line.’”
Despite the challenge, Kelce pushed through and ultimately embraced the live sketch comedy format. Once past the intimidating read-throughs, he felt “so much more comfortable” diving into the silly energy that the show demands. “There was still a sense of like, 'I need to be a professional here,’” he said. “I want to take advantage of this, but I want to have fun doing it… but I don't want to look like a loser doing this.”
His appearance, alongside musical guest Kelsea Ballerini, was widely praised. Yet, it wasn’t just the laughs that sparked attention—it was his raw honesty.
Kelce’s revelation has since triggered a wave of speculation among fans and media alike. Many began to wonder whether the NFL icon might have an undiagnosed learning disorder, such as dyslexia. “Does Travis Kelce have dyslexia?” asked @TRhodes96 on X.
Curiosity isn’t new. SNL writer Rosebud Baker previously recounted that while Kelce did have a hard time at the table read, his dedication to getting the lines right was admirable. The attention surrounding his confession has also sparked a larger conversation about learning difficulties in adults—especially those in the spotlight.
@freethinkerJT defended Kelce by saying, "this generally pisses me the f*** off as somebody who has dyslexia myself and has a child that has learning disabilities. he's so open and kind. he's such a good guy and s*** like this is what makes the news. there's nothing wrong with having a struggle."
@magicnmaybes13 added, "people making fun of him in the quotes are really weird. what he is describing sounds similar to dyslexia. even if he hasn’t got it, people with it will see your tweets making fun of and insulting something they struggle with. also the use of slurs is disgusting."
Orlando Bloom once mentioned his own dyslexia as the reason he never hosted SNL. In that light, Kelce’s willingness to put himself out there, even with reading challenges, is being viewed by many as a courageous step.
Of course, not all reactions were kind. Some social media users mocked his struggles, prompting others to defend the NFL star. Whether or not Kelce has dyslexia, his openness and vulnerability have struck a chord with fans who appreciate authenticity more than perfection.
Kelce will soon appear in Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore” sequel alongside Adam Sandler
Also Read: Taylor Swift secretly hijacked Travis Kelce’s Tight End University event, and he couldn’t be happier
Travis Kelce opens up about SNL struggles and his surprising reading issue leaves fans divided
During a recent appearance on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, Travis Kelce opened up about his biggest hurdle while preparing for SNL. “The writers’ rooms were fun because you’re just getting pitched ideas,” he said. “The table reading, for a guy that can’t really read that well, it was kind of a f-cked situation.”
Kelce confessed that the pre-show table read was the hardest part of the experience. “I felt like I was just trying to get through the reading instead of actually acting it out and giving it a voice and giving it a character and things like that,” he added. “I was just focused on, ‘Don’t f-cking skip this line.’”
Despite the challenge, Kelce pushed through and ultimately embraced the live sketch comedy format. Once past the intimidating read-throughs, he felt “so much more comfortable” diving into the silly energy that the show demands. “There was still a sense of like, 'I need to be a professional here,’” he said. “I want to take advantage of this, but I want to have fun doing it… but I don't want to look like a loser doing this.”
His appearance, alongside musical guest Kelsea Ballerini, was widely praised. Yet, it wasn’t just the laughs that sparked attention—it was his raw honesty.
Travis Kelce detailed one of his biggest challenges while hosting ‘Saturday Night Live,’ with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end sharing he can’t “read that well.” pic.twitter.com/1QrlC16bMn
— E! Online Asia (@eonlineasia) July 3, 2025
Kelce’s revelation has since triggered a wave of speculation among fans and media alike. Many began to wonder whether the NFL icon might have an undiagnosed learning disorder, such as dyslexia. “Does Travis Kelce have dyslexia?” asked @TRhodes96 on X.
Curiosity isn’t new. SNL writer Rosebud Baker previously recounted that while Kelce did have a hard time at the table read, his dedication to getting the lines right was admirable. The attention surrounding his confession has also sparked a larger conversation about learning difficulties in adults—especially those in the spotlight.
@freethinkerJT defended Kelce by saying, "this generally pisses me the f*** off as somebody who has dyslexia myself and has a child that has learning disabilities. he's so open and kind. he's such a good guy and s*** like this is what makes the news. there's nothing wrong with having a struggle."
@magicnmaybes13 added, "people making fun of him in the quotes are really weird. what he is describing sounds similar to dyslexia. even if he hasn’t got it, people with it will see your tweets making fun of and insulting something they struggle with. also the use of slurs is disgusting."
Orlando Bloom once mentioned his own dyslexia as the reason he never hosted SNL. In that light, Kelce’s willingness to put himself out there, even with reading challenges, is being viewed by many as a courageous step.
Of course, not all reactions were kind. Some social media users mocked his struggles, prompting others to defend the NFL star. Whether or not Kelce has dyslexia, his openness and vulnerability have struck a chord with fans who appreciate authenticity more than perfection.
Kelce will soon appear in Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore” sequel alongside Adam Sandler
Also Read: Taylor Swift secretly hijacked Travis Kelce’s Tight End University event, and he couldn’t be happier
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